Perinatal care

Breathingbeing

Pregnancy and postnatal recovery

Yoga therapy, mindfulness meditation and deep relaxation are an ideal set of wellbeing resources for pregnant women and can play an important role during the postnatal period. They are widely recommended by midwives and doctors to expectant mothers as a way of keeping fit while coping with the stress of daily life.

Breathing Being’s approach helps:

maintain the body’s suppleness without straining,

recharge energy,

cope with stress and anxiety,

promote restful sleep,

can be used to relieve pain in labour and childbirth,

soothe common minor ailments during pregnancy

(e.g. swollen joints, heartburn, constipation, tired legs),

connect with the unborn baby by using breathing and visualisation techniques.

It is also an opportunity to meet other mothers-to-be.

Suitable from 12 weeks onwards.

One-to-one sessions:

Pregnancy and postnatal recovery yoga therapy is not simply a matter of following a sequence of exercises. Yoga therapy during and after pregnancy is a very individual matter, as each woman experiences her pregnancy in a completely individual way. Breathing Being provides one-to-one guidelines and a consultation in accordance with your needs. There are special adjustments to be considered, for example when a pregnant woman suffers from depression or panic attacks, Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP), Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), high blood pressure, carpal syndrome, slipped disk, or for pelvic floor recovery following labour, as well as suitable steps to take after having a C-section.

Raquel Chinchetru taught for four years at King’s College Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital. In addition, she gives lectures as part of training courses run by The Minded Institute and Sitaram Yoga. The lectures are on the topic of ‘the role of yoga therapy in perinatal depression’. Perinatal depression is often an unreported condition, so these lectures are an opportunity for health practitioners to develop a deeper awareness of this highly relevant topic for women’s health and the well-being of the newborn baby.

Perinatal depression

Little detail is known about how yoga therapy affects the management of perinatal depression, which includes depression both during pregnancy and postpartum, although there is a great deal of research suggesting that the use of complementary therapies is beneficial to the management of PND.

Complementary therapies are highly recommended alongside the work carried out by a multidisciplinary team (psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse and social workers) as they may offer an attractive alternative to taking medication, which may not be a very appealing option for mothers who are breastfeeding.

Yoga therapy for PND will include:

Psycho-education in order to understand the practice and help develop self-regulation

Physical exercises according to the individual’s needs (forms will be given to be completed in advance)

Raquel Chinchetru occasionally gives lectures on ‘the role of yoga therapy in perinatal depression’ at The Minded Institute. Perinatal depression is often an unreported condition, so these lectures are an opportunity for health practitioners to develop a deeper awareness of this highly relevant topic for women’s health and the well-being of the newborn baby.